Will the Nuclear Power Debate Resurrect Cash for Caulkers?

With the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the safety of nuclear energy has been getting a lot of attention recently.  In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered the closure of Germany’s seven oldest nuclear plants pending a security review.  The discussion of nuclear safety has been taking place in the United States as well.

 

Taking a step back, it has been many months since the governments Homestar program, commonly known as Cash for Caulkers, has had any political or media support.  It has looked as if the program will never get off the ground.  However, with nuclear power becoming an emerging issue, we can only wonder if the Cash for Caulkers program debate will surface again.  Although the government is trying to identify ways to make spending cuts, the Homestar plan could help reduce energy demand and could be a logical investment in the country’s future.

 

Although the Cash for Caulkers program never made it to the Senate, the Department of Energy did announce the Home Energy Score pilot program.  The pilot program ends this spring, and if it was successful it might be rolled out to more cities in 2011.  Perhaps the current debate on nuclear energy will resurrect the principles of the Cash for Caulkers plan, whether it be in the bill that the House of Representatives passed in 2010 or if it is in the form of the Home Energy Score program.